Happy New Year!!!

We had a VERY eventful 2009 and are hoping that 2010 isn't nearly as "exciting." Jordie has made a resolution to stay away from the hospital, especially if she has to be taken by an ambulance. Chad has resolved to NOT do an Ironman Triathlon. Garrett is going to get a job and stop freeloading. Otis HAS to lose weight. Happy new year to you all...we hope it's a good one for ya.

Garrett made it all the way until midnight...got a little crazy on the way.

Christmas 2009

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. We had a great time celebrating with our family and friends.

Pre-Christmas Update

It's been quite a while since our last update, so here is an obligatory post with a few pre-Christmas pics. I am sure there will be many more forthcoming after the holiday festivities.

Garrett is almost 9 months old and changes a little bit every day. He loves to yell, has two teeth and counting, and "scoots" around the house at warp speed. It's amazing how fast he can get around when he's motivated.

Basement Christmas tree that Jordie and Patti surprised me with. Notice all of the blue lights and ornaments...Go Cougars!!!
The main Christmas tree upstairs that I'm not allowed to help decorate. Probably wise since I would just mess it up with Mountain Dew cans or something stupid anyway.

I am in charge of the exterior illumination. I couldn't quite fit the whole house in the pic, but you get the point. I know, I know, the little lights aren't twinkling...

Happy Halloween!

Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend. This was Garretts first (obviously), and I'm not sure how much fun he really had. A big thanks to Grandma Val for the fantastic Slimer costume.

Slimer

Not just a costume my friends...he actually slimes
Garrett (Slimer) and Ty (Dragon)...no wonder kids hate their parents. I think this might constitute child abuse...

Jordie and her Slimer Jordie and I had to do a little ghost bustin'

We all had a great time at the Kartchners party and then trick-or-treating on Halloween. I can't say that Garrett really enjoyed his first Halloween. He had to do all the work but didn't end up with any of the candy.

We also took a lovely day-trip down to Cedar City on Halloween to watch Troy and SUU play UC Davis.

Garrett, Jordie, and Grandma Val

Garrett went in disguise
Troy (#46 in black) setting the defense

Puerto Vallarta

The view from the balcony outside our room
Fishing at Mismaloya

Palapas at Punta de Mita

Just before we went surfing (and had the crap beat out of us). Apparantly, there was a hurricane not far from here

Beach at San Pancho
Jordan makes friends so easily

Jordie at Mismaloya
We took our lives in our hands riding the buses...this is the bus stop by our hotel

One of our favorite restaurants...Cafe de Ollo

Jordie and I just spent a week in Puerto Vallarta and had a great time. Good food, great weather, and a lot of relaxing. I made Jordan go to a time-share presentation with me and she didn't enjoy it very much. It made it a little better when they gave us about $600 worth of stuff for listening...

We laid on the beach, played on ziplines in the jungle, did some repelling, and went surfing with an awesome lady we met at the airport. We had a lot of good food and made some pretty interesting friends. All in all, it was a great trip and we're looking forward to going back.

Marathon Success!

Well, no gutter-naps this time around. Aside from some pretty painful cramps starting at mile 20, the St. George Marathon was a success. I finished in 4:11 (actual time) and had a great time. I was a little bummed that I didn't break the 4-hour mark, but also happy that I didn't end up in the gutter. My sister and brother-in-law both ran with me...congrats to all. In addition to the marathon, we had a great weekend in the sunshine. Thanks for all the words of support and encouragement, especially from those at the finish line and those running with me.

Marathon Week

With only 4 days left until the St. George Marathon, I thought it was appropriate to re-visit the debacle that was the Top of Utah Marathon last year. As many of you know, I had a little bit of an issue finishing my first marathon last fall (body shutting down at mile 14, passing out, concussion, etc.). However, I still managed to finish the race (with some help from Heather and my brother-in-law Paul), and in a respectable time given the fact that I took a lovely hour-long nap/break at mile 26. Here are a few pics of the event...

Yeah for the paramedics (wanted me to take an ambulance ride)
Thanks Heather and Paul Finish line...apparantly the last .2 miles will get ya'

Chad's not with us right now
This is the most normal picture from my marathon experience. Hopefully, St. George will yield a little better result.